Oh the Juicing We Can Do!

Okay, you have decided to take a chance and make your own home made version of the V8 Splash :-) Mixing your fruits and vegetables into a delicious drink can be a fun adventure. Well, I could remember the days when I would look at the V8 drink before it added the splash of fruits and think to myself - why would anyone drink tomatoes and refer to it as a juice? Tomatoes were limited to salads, on sandwiches or burgers and sauces - not in any way to be considered a drink.

However, we now have the meeting of the fruits and vegetables blending in a juicer to create a delicious, healthy treat. The big question that many may ask - is juicing good for you? The answer is Yes. Fruits and vegetables are good for you. On the other hand, you should not turn strictly to juicing and eliminating your meals as a way to lose weight. Of course you will lose weight, but when you decide to eat something again, and you will - oh boy. Your metabolism will not know where to begin, there will be a welcome back party with your fat cells headlining the whole process.



This past weekend, my husband made a delightfully delicious blend of fruits & vegetables drink, then filled up his containers. It was a healthy splash that shocked my body into feeling extra special. In fact, I am already coming up with ideas of mixes to juice: Kiwi, Strawberries, Bananas, Pineapples, Mangoes, Blueberries, peaches, apples, pears, etc. I just can't imagine what vegetable belongs in the mix. The thing is I LOVE vegetables. I love spinach, broccoli, celery, carrots, pumpkin, squash, yams and other green leafy vegetables. It's just that my face starts to distort a bit when I begin to think of mixing. In any case, this juicing will be a lot of fun.


What will you do with the pulp blend? Yes, the pulp is great for its fiber, but for many, the point of juicing is to get the juice not the pulp.

I'm not sure that I would recommend that you volunteer to bake cakes or muffins for your church or charity sale. Although there are some people who have used the pulp to make breads, muffins or cakes, I'm not sure how tasty it would be. I guess you could add some raisins and nuts.

You can make a stew, add it to a sauce, perhaps sprinkle it on your salad?

Another suggestion would be to use it as a compost.


Above all, if you are under the care of a physician, please discuss juicing before you try it. Although fruits and vegetables are highly recommended and they are indeed good for you, in some cases, it may not be GOOD or YOU. Some fruits and vegetables may be high in sugar which may present some health complications for those with pre-existing conditions.

Other wise, if you are free and clear to juice, go on and try it. Perhaps you can share some of your blends with me :-)

The Things I Love About Apples

As a child, I loved apples. My father the healthy eating commissioner of our household,made sure that our home was always stocked with fruits, 100% juices and vegetables. It was a way of life for us and as a parent, I made sure that my children developed a love for the healthy foods. Well, getting back to the love of apples, it began with the colors. It helped that my favorite color was red and I enjoyed the crunch of the apple. Apples as you know have a variety of colors and are tasty from sweet to tart or just plain. The saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away actually has some truth to it.

According to the United States Drug and Food Administration funded study, apples have been found to benefit in the following areas:
* lowers (LDL) bad cholesterol
* increases (HDL) the good cholesterol
* good source of fiber pectin
* good source of antioxidants
* contains small amounts of potassium
* aids in weight loss

Further research studies have indicated that there is a correlation between apples and reducing/preventing some cancers, brain health (Alzheimer's disease), heart diseases, lung diseases and strokes.

One of my favorite apple treats as a child was the candy apple. Of course, I had it on a few occasions. It was the treat I ate at an amusement park, circus or a day at the museum. Unlike today with it's fancy dressings, my candy apple was simply coated with lots of sugar. As I promote the great benefits of apples, I would love to say that candy coated apples are exempt from the above references as its trimmings can cause quite a bit of health complications - especially if it is consumed often.

My love for apples took on a whole new turn as I had my first taste of apple pie as an adult. My father in-law made the most delicious pies ever. He would make his pies using the apples from his apple tree and they were so delicious, I wish I could have shared it with you. As the holidays approaches, and as we continue to enjoy the delicious treats of apples, from hot apple ciders to apple pies - keep in mind that everything must be enjoyed in moderation. Go out to the local farmers market or your produce stand and purchase some apples - get to improving on your health and wellness.